Gift wrap gift bag

ABSTRACT

A gift wrap gift bag is formed from a continuous sheet of non-self supporting readily tearable paper. The continuous sheet comprises first, second, and third sidewalls extending between a top wall and a bottom wall and perpendicular thereto. The top wall, bottom wall, and first, second, and third sidewalls form a sleeve with a single opening. A fourth sidewall arranged between the first and third sidewalls extends from the bottom wall beyond the top wall and the first and third sidewalls. The fourth sidewall corresponds to the single opening and has an attachment end configured for attachment to an outer surface of the top wall.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to gift wrapping materials and methods for wrapping gifts. More particularly, the invention relates to a gift wrap gift bag and a method of forming the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are a variety of ways in which boxes and other items can be decoratively gift wrapped. A common gift wrapping technique includes measuring and cutting a desired amount of wrapping paper, folding and creasing the wrapping paper a number of times so that the wrapping paper conforms to the box or item, and securing the wrapping paper with an adhesive and/or a ribbon. Not only is this technique laborious, difficult, and time consuming, but it also requires some craftsmanship to obtain an aesthetically pleasing result.

To simplify this common gift wrapping technique, various types of gift wrap gift bags have been developed. However, these gift wrap gift bags either do not completely eliminate the complexity of securing the wrapping paper or these gift wrap gift bags do not create an aesthetically pleasing result. For example, closing the gift wrap gift bag may require multiple steps and/or involve complex creasing and folding techniques. Additionally, the gift wrap gift bag may not completely conform to the shape of the box or item being wrapped making the finished product appear bulky, awkward, and/or aesthetically unpleasing. It is therefore desirable to develop a gift wrap gift bag wherein the gift wrap gift bag may be easily closed in a single step and the gift wrap gift bag conforms to the shape of the box to produce an aesthetically pleasing result.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a gift wrap gift bag formed from a continuous sheet of non-self supporting readily tearable paper. The continuous sheet comprises first, second, and third sidewalls extending between a top wall and a bottom wall and perpendicular thereto. The top wall, bottom wall, and first, second, and third sidewalls form a sleeve with a single opening. A fourth sidewall arranged between the first and third sidewalls extends from the bottom wall beyond the top wall and the first and third sidewalls. The fourth sidewall corresponds to the single opening and has an attachment end configured for attachment to an outer surface of the top wall.

The invention further relates to a gift wrap gift bag formed from a continuous sheet of non-self supporting readily tearable paper. The continuous sheet comprises first, second, and third sidewalls extending between a top wall and a bottom wall and perpendicular thereto. The top wall, bottom wall, and first, second, and third sidewalls form a sleeve with a single opening. A fourth sidewall extends from the bottom wall. The fourth sidewall has an attachment end configured for attachment to an outer surface of the top wall. The attachment end is configured such that the attachment end extends parallel to the top wall and the fourth sidewall extends perpendicular to the top wall when the attachment end is attached to the outer surface of the top wall.

The invention further relates to a method of forming a gift wrap gift bag from a continuous sheet of non-self supporting readily tearable paper. The method comprises the steps of folding the continuous sheet to have a top wall, a bottom wall, a flap, and first, second, and third sidewalls such that the first, second, and third sidewalls each have three creases. The top wall is folded about the second sidewall toward an inner surface of the continuous sheet until the top wall is substantially lined up with the bottom wall. The first and third sidewalls are folded toward the top wall and end portions of the first and third sidewalls are attached to the top wall to form a sleeve with a single opening.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a gift wrap gift bag according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the gift wrap gift bag in a fully assembled state;

FIG. 3 is a top view of a continuous sheet that forms the gift wrap gift bag; and

FIG. 4 is a top view of the gift wrap gift bag after the continuous sheet has been folded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 shows a gift wrap gift bag 1. The gift wrap gift bag 1 consists of a continuous sheet 15 fabricated to form a sleeve 30. The sleeve 30 has a top wall 2 positioned opposite a bottom wall 3. First, second, and third sidewalls 4, 5, 6, respectively, extend between the top wall 2 and the bottom wall 3. The top wall 2, bottom wall 3, and first, second, and third sidewalls 4, 5, 6 define a single opening 9. A fourth sidewall 7 extends from the bottom wall 3. The fourth sidewall 7 forms a flap 8. The flap 8 has tabs 14 extending from sides portions 13 thereof and an attachment end 10 coated with an adhesive 18. The adhesive 18 may be covered with a detachable strip 12. In use, a gift box (not shown) is inserted into the opening 9. The detachable strip 12 is removed from the attachment end 10, and the flap 8 is folded about crease 25 such that the tabs 14 are received in the opening 9. The attachment end 10 is folded about crease 26 and the adhesive 18 is pressed into contact with the top wall 2 of the sleeve 30, as shown in FIG. 2. The flap 8 thereby closes the opening 9 and secures the sleeve 30 (not shown) about the gift box (not shown).

The individual elements of the gift wrap gift bag 1 will now be described in greater detail. As shown in FIG. 3, the gift wrap gift bag 1 is formed from the continuous sheet 15 of non-self supporting readily tearable paper, such as, conventional gift wrapping paper. The continuous sheet 15 may, for example, have a thickness of approximately 0.0015 to 0.0025 inches. The continuous sheet 15 has an inner surface 31 shown in FIG. 3 and an outer surface 32 shown in FIG. 4. The outer surface 32 may be provided with a design (not shown) and/or have decorative attachments (not shown), such as ribbon or appliqués, attached thereto.

The continuous sheet 15 consists of the top wall 2, the bottom wall 3, and the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls 4, 5, 6, 7, respectively. As shown in FIG. 2, the first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls 4, 5, 6, 7 have the same height 36. As shown in FIG. 3, the first sidewall 4 and the third sidewall 6 extend from opposite ends of the bottom wall 3. The first sidewall 4 and the third sidewall 6 each have an end portion 17. The end portions 17 have an attachment adhesive 11. The attachment adhesive 11 may be, for example, a type of glue or tape. The attachment adhesive 11 may be pre-applied to the end portions 17 or applied to the end portions 17 immediately prior to assembly of the continuous sheet 15, to be described later. The second sidewall 5 and the fourth sidewall 7 extend from opposite ends of the bottom wall 3 between the first sidewall 4 and the third sidewall 6. The top wall 2 extends from a side of the second sidewall 5 opposite from the bottom wall 3. The top wall 2 has the same size and shape as the bottom wall 3 and has first, second, and third edges 33, 34, 35, respectively. The fourth sidewall 7 is formed as the flap 8 and has the attachment end 10. The attachment end 10 may be coated with the adhesive 18. The adhesive 18 may be glue, tape, or the like and may be covered with the detachable strip 12 to prevent any premature or unwanted adhesion. Although the adhesive 18 is illustrated as having the detachable strip 12, the adhesive 18 may alternatively be of the type that is activated by moisture. Alternatively, the attachment end 10 may be formed without an adhesive 18 or the adhesive 18 may be positioned on the outer surface 32 of the top wall 2 adjacent to the first edge 33.

Tabs 14 extend from side portions 16 of the second sidewall 5 and side portions 13 of the fourth sidewall 7. The tabs 14 are illustrated as being substantially triangular in shape, however, the tabs 14 may be any configuration capable of closing gaps created between the second and fourth 5, 7 sidewalls and the adjacent first and third sidewalls 4, 6 when the continuous sleeve 15 is assembled.

Fabrication of the sleeve 30 from the continuous sheet 15 will now be described in greater detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. As shown in FIG. 3, the continuous sheet 15 is folded to form creases 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29. The tabs 14 of the second sidewall 5 are folded about the side portions 16 of the second sidewall 5 toward the inner surface 31. The top wall 2 is folded about the crease 19 toward the inner surface 31 until the first edge 33 of the top wall 2 is substantially lined-up with the crease 25. The tabs 14 of the second sidewall 5 are thereby positioned between the top wall 2 and the bottom wall 3. The end portions 17 of the first and third sidewalls 4, 6 are coated with the attachment adhesive 11. Alternatively, the attachment adhesive 11 could be applied to the outer surface 23 of the top wall 2. The first sidewall 4 is folded about crease 21 toward the inner surface 31 until the crease 24 is substantially lined-up with the second edge 34 of the top wall 2. The attachment adhesive 11 is pressed into contact with the outer surface 32 of the top wall 2 to secure the end portion 17 of the first sidewall 4 to the top wall 2 proximate the second edge 34. The third sidewall 6 is folded about crease 20 toward the inner surface 31 until the crease 22 is substantially lined-up with the third edge 35 of the top wall 2. The attachment adhesive 11 is pressed into contact with the outer surface 32 of the top wall 2 to secure the end portion 17 of the third sidewall 6 to the top wall 2 proximate the third edge 35. As shown in FIG. 4, the sleeve 30 is in a flattened state after fabrication, and is thereby immediately ready for shipping.

In use, the sleeve 30 shown in FIG. 4 is expanded about the creases 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, 29 to form the gift wrap gift bag 1 shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the first, second, and third sidewalls 4, 5, 6 extend parallel to each other and perpendicular to the top wall 2 and the bottom wall 3 in the expanded state. A gift box (not shown) having substantially the same dimensions as the sleeve 20, such as a six faced gift box (not shown) or other item (not shown), is inserted into the opening 9 of the gift wrap gift bag 1. The detachable strip 12 is removed from the attachment end 10, and the flap 8 is folded about crease 25 toward the opening 9. As the flap 8 is folded toward the opening, the tabs 14 are folded about the side portion 13 of the fourth sidewall 7 such that the tabs 14 are received in the opening 9. The attachment end 10 is folded about crease 26 and the exposed adhesive 18 is pressed into contact with the outer surface 32 of the top wall 2 of the sleeve 30, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively and/or in addition, an adhesive, such as glue or tape, may be applied by a user to attach the attachment end 10 to the outer surface 32 of the top wall 2 of the sleeve 30. The flap 8 thereby closes the opening 9 and secures the sleeve 30 (not shown) about the gift box (not shown). The gift box (not shown) is thus completely wrapped and ready for opening.

Because the assembled gift wrap gift bag 1 has six faces, which include the top wall 2, the bottom wall 3, and first, second, third, and fourth sidewalls 4, 5, 6, 7, and the gift box (not shown) corresponds to the dimensions of the gift wrap gift bag 1, the gift wrap gift bag 1 almost precisely matches the dimensions of the gift box (not shown) creating an aesthetically pleasing result. Additionally, the opening 9 can be easily closed in a single step. To open the gift wrap gift bag 1, a user would simply tear open the readily tearable paper of the gift wrap gift bag 1 to retrieve the gift box (not shown) contained therein.

The foregoing illustrates some of the possibilities for practicing the invention. Many other embodiments are possible within the scope and spirit of the invention. For example, the end portions 17 of the first and third sidewalls 4, 6, could alternatively be attached to the inner surface 31 of the top wall 2. Additionally, the first and third sidewalls 4, 6, could alternatively extend from the top wall 2 and be attached to the inner surface 31 or the outer surface 32 of the bottom wall 3. Still further the tabs 14 could alternatively extend from end portions of the first and third sidewalls 4, 6. It is, therefore, intended that the foregoing description be regarded as illustrative rather than limiting, and that the scope of the invention is given by the appended claims together with their full range of equivalents. 

1. A gift wrap gift bag formed from a continuous sheet of non-self supporting readily tearable paper, the continuous sheet comprising: first, second, and third sidewalls extending between a top wall and a bottom wall and perpendicular thereto, the top wall, bottom wall, and first, second, and third sidewalls forming a sleeve with a single opening; and a fourth sidewall arranged between the first and third sidewalls and extending from the bottom wall beyond the top wall and the first and third sidewalls, the fourth sidewall corresponding to the single opening and having an attachment end configured for attachment to an outer surface of the top wall.
 2. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 1, wherein the gift wrap gift bag has six faces when the attachment end is attached to the top wall.
 3. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 1, wherein the first, second, and third sidewalls each have three creases.
 4. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 1, wherein the first and third sidewalls have end portions attached to the outer surface by an attachment adhesive.
 5. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 1, wherein the attachment end has an adhesive.
 6. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 1, further comprising tabs extending from the fourth sidewall.
 7. A gift wrap gift bag formed from a continuous sheet of non-self supporting readily tearable paper, the continuous sheet comprising: first, second, and third sidewalls extending between a top wall and a bottom wall and perpendicular thereto, the top wall, bottom wall, and first, second, and third sidewalls forming a sleeve with a single opening; and a fourth sidewall extending from the bottom wall, the fourth sidewall having an attachment end configured for attachment to an outer surface of the top wall, the attachment end being configured such that the attachment end extends parallel to the top wall and the fourth sidewall extends perpendicular to the top wall when the attachment end is attached to the outer surface of the top wall.
 8. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 7, wherein the gift wrap gift bag has six faces when the attachment end is attached to the top wall.
 9. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 7, wherein the first, second, and third sidewalls each have three creases.
 10. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 7, wherein the first and third sidewalls have end portions attached to the outer surface by an attachment adhesive.
 11. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 7, wherein the attachment end has an adhesive.
 12. The gift wrap gift bag of claim 7, further comprising tabs extending from the fourth sidewall.
 13. A method of forming a gift wrap gift bag from a continuous sheet of non-self supporting readily tearable paper, comprising the steps of: folding the continuous sheet to have a top wall, a bottom wall, a flap, and first, second, and third sidewalls, the first, second, and third sidewalls each having three creases; folding the top wall about the second sidewall toward an inner surface of the continuous sheet until the top wall is substantially lined up with the bottom wall; folding the first and third sidewalls toward the top wall; and attaching an end portion of the first and third sidewalls to the top wall to form a sleeve with a single opening.
 14. The method of claim 13, further comprising applying an adhesive to the flap.
 15. The method of claim 13, further comprising folding tabs formed on the second sidewall toward the inner surface when folding the top wall.
 16. The method of claim 13, further comprising expanding the continuous sheet about the creases.
 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the flap is arranged between the first and third sidewalls and extends from the bottom wall beyond the first and third sidewalls and the top wall when the top wall is substantially lined up with the bottom wall. 